The Karbala desert is located in Karbala province, 100 km southwest of the historical city of Baghdad in Iraq, which is also known because of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions. It is considered as important today as it ever was in the past.
Famous for the tomb of Hazrat Hussain Ibn Ali, this historical place was also called Nainnawa and Al Ghadriya in the past. Around one million people live here, but during the months of Muharram and Safar, pilgrims come here in large numbers and visit the holy places.
As a result of the American attacks in March 1991, many religious sites were damaged, including Imam Hussain’s shrine, which led to the reconstruction of the Imam’s shrine in 1994. Being a desert region, Karbala experiences severe weather both in summer and winter.
Hazrat Imam Hussain, may Allah be pleased with him, along with his 72 followers, landed in the field of Karbala in 61 Hijri according to 680 AD. On the next day, Umar bin Saad reached Karbala with 6000 soldiers and took up the sword against him to maintain his authority. Which was the 9th day of Muharram.
Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) was not ready to pledge allegiance to Yazid and said that those who want to go, have permission from me. Some companions and relatives pledged to support till the end, their number is said to be 72.
He also gave a speech before martyrdom and said that people! Consider my lineage and see who I am. Blame yourself. Do you enjoy killing and insulting me? Am I not the grandson of your Prophet ﷺ and the son of his cousin who was the first to respond to the voice of Allah and believe in His Messenger ﷺ?
Taking the effect of your speech, Hurr said that I chose heaven even if I was to be cut to pieces or burned. The war began in the manner of personal confrontation, in which the Ahl al-Bayt had an upper hand. Seeing this, Ibn Saad ordered a general attack. One by one, the martyrs sacrificed themselves to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), but no one ran away from the battlefield. Ali Akbar, Abdullah bin Muslimah, Jafar bin Tayar’s grandson, Abdul Rahman, Qasim, Abu Bakr, and all the dead bodies of the martyrs were taken up.
Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) fell due to an arrow. When he saw the form of Shimar Al-Jawshan, he said that my grandfather and the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, had said the truth that I see a spotted dog that stains its hands with the blood of my Ahl al-Bayt.
Shimar severed your head from behind. According to traditions, the head of Hazrat Yahya bin Zakariya (peace be upon him) was also cut from the rear side in the same way. Horses were run over his decapitated body which was ordered by Ibn Ziyad. The heads of martyrs of Ahl al-Bayt were placed on the tip of spears and brought to the court of Ibn Ziyad and then to Yazid in Damascus.
Yazid put the head of Imam Hussain on a plate and poked the blessed tooth with a stick and recited some verses to which the Jewish ambassador in the court said that I am from the descendants of Hazrat Musa (peace be upon him). Despite passing 70 mountains, the Jews respect me greatly and you are the only one who martyred the grandson of your prophet and are proud of it. It is a place of drowning.
